When it comes to getting flashy in the kitchen, you have to know how to work your tools. The sheer amount of cookware available is enough to make anyone dizzy as they reach for a slotted spoon; we help you decide between cast iron cookware, non stick pots and stainless steel pans as a small help through the cookware maze.

Primarily it depends on the type of cooking you like to do as to what cookware to invest in. Just as there are many types of chef, there are many types of home cook. You also need to consider if you are cooking for family, or functions; putting on numerous dinner parties can mean that you would be better off with professional cookware.

Cast iron cookware is considered one of the longest lasting products on the market. Despite the weight, it remains popular with amateurs and professionals worldwide. This is because of its versatility; it can be used on all types of cooker, the pots can be used in the oven as well on the hob, and the conductivity makes sure that food cooks evenly. The weight of the lid also helps the stockpots seal in flavour, as well as prevent drying out through the release of steam.

Although this type of cookware comes with a lifetime guarantee, it has to be well maintained, otherwise the enamel will get damaged. For this reason, many chefs like to invest in stainless steel copper bottomed pots and pans. The conductivity is still good thanks to the heat distribution through copper, and the longevity is up to the mark too. In fact, because dropping a stainless steel pan will only yield a few dents, whereas in cast iron cookware it is likely to break because it is more brittle, steel may well last longer.

The only drawback with both of these is that they are not non stick, and require careful maintenance to keep in good shape. Whether you are a professional or an amateur chef, if you are prone to bungling the odd recipe to the point of no return, you are likely to be better off with non stick cookware. The coatings are prone to coming away from the pan, but a good quality set should be guaranteed for at least ten years. This means that whole cookware sets are cheaper to buy, and at the rate coating performance is improving, by the time you need to purchase another set, they may well be up to the standards of traditional cookware materials.